Author: Timothy Wahome (Timothy Wahome)

Lamb prices surge across Europe as supplies founder 
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Lamb prices surge across Europe as supplies founder 

Diminishing sheep numbers have occasioned uptick lamb prices by up to  €1 per kg at the farm-gate through Europe. France leads the upward pricing curve, with average offers at €9.13 a kg as of August 3, 2024. This was up from August 2022’s €8.01 and August 2023’s €8.06, reported the Irish Farmers Journal on August 14. Also experiencing a...

Arabica
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Coffee gains in end-week markets after Brazilian real strengthens

A strengthening Brazilian real currency delivered marginal coffee gains for September raw bean deliveries on August 15, 2024. Both Arabica and Robusta gained in prices by 1.22% and 2.21% respectively at the International Coffee Exchange (ICE) in New York .  The rise happened after producers in Brazil held back exports due to the strengthening of the local...

Lobster
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The U.S. lobster minimum catch size up by 1/16th Inches

Beginning July 1, 2025, the U.S. lobster landing size minimum on the Gulf of Maine will have upgraded a wee bit. This follows the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s decision to protect diminishing stocks in a state famous for its lobster rolls. According to The Boston Globe on August 18, 2024, the minimum catch size will...

red peaches
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Chico State wraps its “U-pick Peaches” campaign with student benefits

As California’s April-October peach season climaxes, Chico State University’s student-benefiting “U-pick peaches” harvest has closed in communal style.   All this is thanks to a favorable agricultural environment of northern California which nurtures wine grapes, honey and peaches. Each August, the local community gets a chance to harvest peaches at the university, with the 2024...

Sheep prices surge across Europe as supplies founder 
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Sheep prices surge across Europe as supplies founder 

Diminishing lamb stocks has seen sheep prices rise by up to  €1 per kg at the farm-gate in different countries in Europe. France led the upward pricing curve at €9.13 a kg as of August 3, 2024. This was up from August 2022’s €8.01 and August 2023’s €8.06, reported the Irish Farmers Journal on August 14. Also experiencing a similarly high annual...

The Ecuador banana export volume to China shows 14% decline 
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The Ecuador banana export volume to China shows 14% decline 

The Sino-Ecuador banana preferential trade of May 1, 2024 is yet to improve Ecuador’s exports, which have declined by 14%, reports Expresso.  Ecuador shipped 190.98 million boxes of bananas to China in 2023 vis-á-vis 188.99 million boxes in the year ending June 2024. The world’s biggest banana exporter however is downplaying the decline, citing that long-term...

The Saudi date output exceeds domestic needs at 124%
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The Saudi date output exceeds domestic needs at 124%

With production at 1.6 million tonnes in 2024, the Saudi date sector has surpassed domestic self-sufficiency needs by 24%. According to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the country’s yearly production self-sufficiency margin is now at 124%. The ministry attributes the increase to governmental and affiliates’ efforts to boost palm date acreage to almost 165,000 hectares....

Tim Walz versus emission-free agriculture 
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Tim Walz versus emission-free agriculture 

From his influential Strengthening Our Investment in Land (SOIL) to the Land Stewardship Project, Tim Walz has entrenched himself in climate. His climatic connection has recently ballooned after he became Kamala Harris’ choice for vice president in the November 2024 U.S.’ presidential poll.  As governor of Minnesota, Walz has also benefited small-scale farmers through federal loans...

Tomatoes cost less in Pune as supplies rally
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Tomatoes cost less in Pune as supplies rally

Residents of Pune, in Maharashtra, Western India are heaving a sigh of relief now that tomatoes cost cheaper than before, as supplies rebound. By August 13, 2024, fresh supplies in Pune’s Narayangaon market had more than doubled from 12,000 crates to over 30,000 crates. Even the retailers lowered their prices from 100 rupees ($1.19) a kg to...

Maximum residue levels for vegetables getting stricter, says Vietnam
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Maximum residue levels for vegetables getting stricter, says Vietnam

The European Union (EU) is reducing the maximum residue levels (MRL) for various vegetables applicable to Vietnam, reports Nongnghiep.  Vietnam is one of the heavy duty users of pesticides globally and Vietnamese produce is frequently under EU inspections. In the proposal that SPS Vietnam Office sent to the Plant Protection Department (NPP), some vegetables are particularly under strict...